The Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys kick-off Round 21 at CUA Stadium on Friday night..

Panthers v Cowboys

CUA Stadium

Friday 7.35pm AEST

The Panthers are looking far from rosy despite sitting in second spot on the NRL ladder. Last week’s defeat at the hands of the Storm was their third straight loss and injuries are starting to test out their depth. Prop Tim Grant, lock Luke Lewis and halfback Luke Walsh have been missing recently and it has really showed. However, a home game against the Cowboys looks just the sort of match to get their season back on track. The visitors, though, would at least have taken some confidence out of their golden-point win in Townsville last Saturday. Johnathan Thurston is playing injured but continues to be a menace for opposition sides, and if the Panthers aren’t careful he could well orchestrate an upset. – JM

Lucas: The Panthers desperately need to snap a three game losing streak and they will at CUA Stadium on Friday night. Take them to cover the line.

Marshall: The Panthers, with Luke Walsh back in the side, will hit back with a win. Back them to cover the line.

Bulldogs v Rabbitohs

ANZ Stadium

Friday 7.35pm AEST

The late-season charge towards an unlikely top eight spot has come to a screeching halt for the Bulldogs. They have simply left themselves too much to do and last week’s loss to Parramatta has all but shut the door on any finals chances they had. Six wins from as many games are now needed, and reliance on other results going their way. The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, got back on track with a much-needed win over the Warriors last weekend. After four losses in five games, the Bunnies put themselves back in the top-eight mix, although a broken collarbone to big man Dave Taylor could seriously hinder their chances. – JM

Lucas: The Bulldogs have lost their bite, although the Bunnies’ growing injury list is a major concern. This will be a high-scoring match, so back the total score to be over the line.

Marshall: The Rabbitohs should have too much to play for, but it’ll be close. Back either team under 6½ points.

Eels v Roosters

Parramatta Stadium

Saturday 5.30pm AEST

The Jarryd Hayne show swung into full action last Friday night, with two tries and a try assist inside the opening ten minutes proving the catalyst for Parramatta’s third straight win. Last year’s Dally M Medal winner is making a late play for back-to-back awards, as well as giving his side’s 2010 premiership campaign a push in the right direction. Awaiting the Eels though, are the surprise packet of 2010 – the Sydney Roosters. Brian Smith’s men crossed another bridge last Monday night when, without Mitch Pearce and Nate Myles, they defeated the Broncos in Brisbane. Todd Carney was dominant and Shaun Kenny-Dowall ran in four tries to seal the win. – JM

Lucas: What a cracker – I reckon it’ll be a high scoring match. Eels to win but I’m backing the total game score to be over.

Marshall: I was a huge knocker, but gee the Roosters are starting to win me over. Their defence is still an issue, though, so I’ll go Eels 1-12.

Tigers v Sharks

Leichhardt Oval

Saturday 7.30pm AEST

The Wests Tigers dominated territory and possession to bounce to an early 8-0 lead over the Manly Sea Eagles with a try to lock Chris Heighington and two goals to five-eighth Benji Marshall at Bluetongue Stadium last weekend. But the Tigers eventually buckled under pressure, losing 38-20 to the Sea Eagles in a spiteful encounter as the they stumbled to their first loss in four games. Meanwhile, a change in coaching personnel failed to ignite the Sharks in Canberra on Saturday night with Cronulla going down 20-13 to the Raiders, although rookie Sharks coach Steve Flanagan appeared to enjoy the experience, claiming that his players earned his respect. – PL

Lucas: With a top four finish at stake the Tigers simply cannot afford to drop this one, and they won’t. Take the total game score to be under the line.

Marshall: Wests Tigers will do a number on the Sharks. Have something on them at 30-plus.

Warriors v Titans

Mt Smart Stadium

Sunday 12.00pm AEST

The Warriors came back to earth last weekend at ANZ Stadium with a 38-28 loss to the Rabbitohs in  a game played in two halves. The Warriors led 20-10 at the break but the floodgates opened in the second half with the Bunnies scoring five tries to claim the win and according to Warriors coach Ivan Cleary it was a good wake-up call for his players : "At the end of the day we got what we deserved and they deserved the win," Cleary said after their first loss in six matches.  The Gold Coast Titans kept their premiership hopes alive with a gutsy 11-10 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Jubilee Oval last weekend, after Matt Rogers drilled a field goal in the final minute of golden point extra time, and Titans coach John Cartwright took a swing at the critics for writing his team off after their recent lack-lustre efforts. – PL

Lucas: I’m tipping this will be a low scoring and bruising encounter, with a top four finish possibly on the line. Warriors to win.

Marshall: Last week’s upset win will mean little for the Titans unless they consolidate with another this week. Back the Titans straight out.

Storm v Raiders

AAMI Park

Sunday 2.00pm

They may not be playing for premiership points but the Melbourne Storm are fast becoming a major distraction to a number of teams aspiring to go all the way in 2010 – just ask Penrith coach Matthew Elliott after his team went down to the Storm 18-10 at AAMI Park in round 20, in an ugly error-filled affair. The Canberra Raiders kept their finals chances alive with 20-13 win over the Sharks in round 20, although the win did come at a cost with Scott Logan and Josh Dugan joining a mounting injury list that includes skipper Alan Tongue, who is struggling with a groin and he could miss the remainder of the season. – PL

Lucas: I’ve put the cue in the rack so to speak, in regard to betting on Storm games. But just for the record, Storm to win a low-scoring game.

Marshall: The Storm made plenty of errors last week but still won. Expect them to be sharper this week. I’m very keen on the total match score to be over the line.

Broncos v Dragons

Suncorp Stadium

Sunday 3.00pm

The Brisbane Broncos dropped out of the top eight after Monday night’s 34-30 loss to the Roosters and they face a massive challenge against competition leaders St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. The match will be played without Ben Te'o, who broke his foot on Monday night, and it is worthwhile noting that since their five-match winning streak ended, Brisbane has now gone loss-win-loss-bye-win-loss. With the winning post in sight, are the Dragons once again losing their mojo at the business end of the season after last weekend’s 11-10 golden point home loss to the Titans? I think not. Yes, the odd crack in their game plan has surfaced, but they deserve the title of season 2010 front-runners and as Wayne Bennett pointed out after their loss last weekend, they have been playing quality teams recently. – PL

Lucas: Both teams will lift for this all-important clash between two extremely proud clubs. Take the total game score to be over the line.

Marshall: The Dragons, in 2010 anyway, don’t lose two in a row. They’ll win a close one.

Knights v Sea Eagles

EnergyAustralia Stadium

Monday 7.00pm

The Newcastle Knights’ finals hopes went up in smoke after last weekend’s 28-24 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. Granted, the Knights do have a mathematical chance of playing finals football but in  reality they have no chance of extending their season beyond the home and away rounds and for Rick Stone and his players, they can now concentrate on 2011 and beyond. Manly’s surge towards the top four gained momentum with last weekend’s 38-20 victory over the Wests Tigers in a spiteful encounter at Bluetongue Stadium – the Sea Eagles scored six tries to four to move up to fourth and skipper Jamie Lyon was outstanding, scoring two tries and kicking seven from seven. – PL

Lucas: The Sea Eagles need to keep winning in the lead-up to the finals, and they will. Sea Eagles to cover the line.

Marshall: I think Manly will be too strong but at home the Knights will probably start well. Back the Knights/Sea Eagles half-time/full-time double.